Get Guardian on GoogleIt was a confession galore in Offa, Kwara State at the weekend where politicians exonorated the former Senate President Bukola Saraki of complicity in the infamous 2003 Offa bank robbery saga.
They admitted that they deliberately linked the incident in which over 25 people including policemen were killed to Saraki to settle political scores.
Recall that the state government is prosecuting the former governor Saraki for allegedly sponsoring the robbery.
The Kwara South Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saheed Popoola, said he aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to play formidable role in the O to ge movement that removed Saraki.
According to him, most of them wove lies against Saraki because to settle political differences.
Speaking in the palace of the Olofa of Offa during the PDP tour of the Kwara South, led by Saraki, Popoola said that his support for the APC was regrettable.
Popoola revealed that majority off top political players opted for the O to ge movement and the APC for better development only to be disappointed by the present government.
He said: “I regret fighting Saraki becaus ei was misinformed diring the Otoge struggle.
“All the money in the entire banks in Offa and Ilorin put together is not enough for Saraki to spend in three days,” he said.
He explained that the Offa robbery incident couldn’t have involved Saraki if not for political interest and calculated move to tarnish his image, saying: “a dead issue of Offa robbery has been reawakened just because of politics.”
Speaking in the same vein, the conveyner of Orisun Igbomina, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, who said that he was among the people that led the Otoge campaign and brought APC to the limelight, said: “now, i and many others regret our actions and deeds.
“For the sake of my conscience, I must fight this government. God and the unborn generations will not forgive us all if we don’t rise against it,” he sought.
He regretted that no fewer than 30 monarchs in the state have abdicated their thrones for insecurity while 25 communities have become desolate.
According to him: “even, the man contesting the House of Representatives slots in Ifelodun, his community has been sacked by the bandits.”
Addressing the monarch, the former Senate President recalled his positive role during the selection and enthronement of Oba Esuwoye, saying he did it against the choice of some others.
He demanded from the king, an unwavering support for the PDP, saying: “against many hurdles, i supported you in 2010, now is the time for payback.”
“I slept Offa to see you today becaus of my respect for you. Let us here and beyond know that i am not a visitor here in Offa, particularly in this palace.
“I recall 2010 when the chiefs and kingmakers decided they wanted you, i accepted you as a preferred candidate against petitions and complaints from many quaters.
“When they write about this town and this Oba, you must add my name to it because some.people attempted to influence me into rejecting you, but i refused, i stood my ground. Now is the time i seek your support like i did for you in 2010. Kabiesi, our PDP won’t disappoint you.
“We in PDP shall continue to play our role on developing Offa further, please, help convince your people to vote PDP in 2027,” he begged.
Reacting, the traditional ruler urged all and sundry to go for their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to exercise their civic duties next year.
Meanwhile, Saraki donated ₦50 million to address the over 40 years old electricity crisis in Offa.
The donation is expected to facilitate the replacement of obsolete electricity cables, which were installed about 55 years ago during the administration of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
The existing cables, according to concerns raised by the community, are no longer adequate to meet the electricity demands of Offa and its growing population. Residents reportedly receive only two to three hours of electricity daily, a situation that has adversely affected businesses, commercial activities and the general well-being of the people. The ageing infrastructure has also been linked to several fatal incidents in the community.
Saraki’s ₦50 million intervention represents a significant response to a longstanding infrastructure challenge that has constrained economic activities and affected residents of Offa for more than five decades.
